How to Preserve a Needlepoint Tapestry

Store your treasured needlepoint pieces properly.

The American Needle Point Guild, Inc. cites moisture, light, heat and impurities, both chemical and physical, as the main causes of degradation in needlework. They suggest storing rather than displaying the needlepoint tapestries you wish to preserve. Proper storage protects your treasured needlepoint from all of the elements that might cause it damage.

Things You'll Need

• Fine nylon net
• Embroidery hoop
• Vacuum
• Acid-free tissue paper
• Flat archival boxes

Instructions

1. Make a vacuum screen by stretching a piece of fine nylon net over an embroidery hoop. Lay the screen on the tapestry, and vacuum the area inside the hoop with your vacuum set on "low." Pick up the hoop, and move it to another area of the tapestry. Vacuum that area. Clean the entire front and back of the tapestry in this manner to remove moth eggs and grit.

2. Wrap the tapestry in acid-free tissue paper, and store it in a flat archival box. This will protect it from light. If the tapestry is too large to be stored flat in a box, roll it loosely around an acid-free tube, and then wrap the rolled tapestry in cotton fabric to protect it from dust.

3. Store your tapestry in an air-conditioned location to prevent exposing it to extreme temperatures or excess humidity. If an air-conditioned location is not available, use a dehumidifier to control the humidity. A good option is to store your textiles in an inside closet with a chemical dehumidifier.

4. Check your stored textiles frequently for signs of insect damage.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear clean cotton gloves when handling delicate textiles to protect them from the oil on your skin.

• Avoid washing delicate textiles. But, if your textile is soiled, washing it can help avoid further damage from the foreign substances. Test an inconspicuous area for colorfastness. You must test all of the types of fibers used in the tapestry. Red and dark pink are the colors most likely to bleed. Use distilled water and quilt soap. Rinse the tapestry several times. Place the tapestry between several layers of towels, and press the stack gently to remove the excess water. Allow the piece to dry thoroughly on a rack in a well-ventilated place.

• Do not slide the vacuum screen along the fabric. It will cause wear.

• Avoid storing textiles in the attic, basement or garage where they may be exposed to insects, water and extreme temperatures.

References

• American Needle Point Guild, Inc.: Preserving Your Own Needlework